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Department of Ecology News Release - June 2, 2009
09-126
BELLEVUE – The Department of Ecology (Ecology) has fined Industrial Plating Corp. (IPC) $101,000 for violating hazardous waste requirements that could have prevented the collapse last year of a 50,000-gallon tank full of caustic solution at the company's plant in south Seattle.
The wooden tank broke apart at approximately 6 p.m. on March 25, 2008. It was one of two tanks located outdoors at 2411 6th Ave. South that contained corrosive rinse waters and toxic liquid. Most of the liquid and sludge spilled onto building's sub-level floor where it was contained. An unknown quantity of the liquid overflowed onto paved parking lots – at the company's site and next door – and into the street. Liquid in those areas entered city storm drains, which flow into the Duwamish River.
Heavy flow in the drains from rainfall at the time of the spill prevented spill-response efforts to track or recover the water-soluble liquid.
Also, some of the liquid entered sanitary sewer lines which flow to King County's West Point Treatment Plant.
Ecology directed the company to clean up liquid and sludge from the collapsed tank and to remove other hazardous materials stored at the plant. IPC had recently ended business operations at the facility and was in the process of removing materials and equipment. IPC has completed most, but not all, of this work.
“IPC failed to take required hazardous waste precautions that are designed to prevent a spill like this,” said K Seiler, who manages Ecology's hazardous waste and toxics reduction program. “The safety and health of workers, the community and the environment depend on constant care and attention to properly store and handle these materials.”
Ecology investigated the incident and facility and found IPC responsible for violating six laws or regulations:
Ecology conducted its investigation and cleanup oversight in cooperation with Seattle Public Utilities, King County Industrial Waste and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Ecology's hazardous waste and spill-response programs form parts of the department's efforts to reduce and prevent toxic threats to people and the environment and to protect and restore Puget Sound.
IPC may appeal the penalty to Ecology or to the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board.
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Media Contacts:
Larry Altose, Ecology media relations, 425-649-7009
David Misko, Ecology hazardous waste, 425-649-7014
Annie Kolb-Nelson, King County Wastewater Treatment Division, 206-263-6157
For more information:
Ecology's Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/hwtr/index.html
King County Industrial Waste Program
www.kingcounty.gov/environment/wastewater/IndustrialWaste.aspx
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
